Ranthambhor National Park
Ranthambhor National Park, before a princely
game conserve is the scene where the celebrated
Indian Tiger is best seen. Ranthambhor Tiger
Reserve lies on the junction of Aravali and
Vindhyas just 14 Kms from Sawai Madhopur in
Eastern Rajasthan. It sprawls over a varying
and undulating landscape. The scenery changes
dramatically from gentle and steep slopes of
the Vindhyas and sharp and conical hills of
the Aravali. A tenth century fort also blends
amicably with the background. Pure sands of
Dhok (Anogeissus pendula) interspersed with
grasslands at the plateaus, meadows in valleys
and luxuriant foliage around the canals make
the jungle. Three big lakes – Padam Talab
(meaning Lake), Malik Talab and Raj Bagh –
are similar turquoises studded in the vast forest
that abounds with aquatic vegetation including
duckweeds, lilies and lotus.
A significant geological feature within the
park is the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the
Vindhaya plateau meets the Aravali range. The
Rivers Chambal in the South and the Banas in
the North bound the National Park. The park
is dotted with steep rocky hills and the dominating
architecture of Ranthambhor Fort (built in the
10th century), adds to its landscape. The rugged
park terrain alternates between dry deciduous
forest, open grassy meadow, dotted by several
lakes and rivers that are only made passable
by rough roads built and maintained by the Forest
Service.
The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor;
although it is the one park resident that people
come to see. A variety of birds including Owlets,
the ubiquitous Langur (monkey), Leopard, Caracal,
Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, marsh Crocodiles,
Wild Boar, Bears and various species of Deer
are the other attractions.
Ranthambhor is plagued by the typical problems
encountered by all game reserves in India -
people living in and around the parks and grazing
by livestock! Between 1976-1979, 12 villages
within Ranthambhor National Park were resettled
outside the designated park area with only a
few people now residing in scattered hamlets
within the park. Of course poachers continue
their activities with increasing demand from
China for Tiger parts. There are no accurate
figures on how many tigers and poachers kill
other species, but on occasion evidence appears
in the form of large numbers of skins and other
body parts found on couriers.
The park is well staffed and the folk who man
the centres and the mandatory guides - one for
every vehicle, are knowledgeable of the terrain
and some even know the Latin names of most species.
The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambhor;
although it is the one park resident people
come to see. We were lucky to see several varieties
of birds including these owlets peering through
their burrow pictured here on the right and
of course the ubiquitous langur monkey. Other
animals in the reserve include leopard, caracal,
hyena, jackal, jungle cat, marsh crocodiles,
wild boar, bears and various species of deer.
The main food source for the tiger is the swamp
deer like Barasinsga and on occasion the wild
buffalo and also wild boar etc. If you wish
to stay near the park, the facilities on offer
are superb. The park gates open a half hour
before sunrise and close half hour after sunset.
The timings are vigorously imposed and no exceptions
are made to this rule.
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